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Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatusOrder: FALCONIFORMESFamily: Kites, Eagles and Hawks (Accipitridae)

Breeding Location:

Forest, Swamps, Marshes



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

White with brown and lavender marks at large end



Number of Eggs:

2 - 3



Incubation Days:

24 - 28



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Sticks, twigs, moss, and pine needles.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Swallow-tailed Kite: The largest of North America kites, has black upperparts which contrast with white head and underparts. In flight it shows long pointed wings with black flight feathers and white wing linings. Has a 15-16 inch-long black tail with deep fork. The neck, breast and belly are white.

Range and Habitat

Swallow-tailed Kite: Breeds mainly on or near coasts from Texas east to Florida, and north to South Carolina; local farther inland in Gulf states. Winters in American tropics. Also breeds in tropics. Inhabits swamps, marshes, river bottoms, and glades in open forests.

Breeding and Nesting

Swallow-tailed Kite: Two to three white eggs with brown and lavender markings, often concentrated at the large end, are laid in a nest of sticks, twigs, moss, and pine needles. Nest is built by both sexes and placed in the treetop, 60-130 feet above ground, concealed by thick foliage. Nest is lined with leaves and lichen. Incubation ranges from 24 to 28 days and is carried out by both sexes. These birds have one brood per year.

Foraging and Feeding

Swallow-tailed Kite: This bird feeds on insects such as bees, dragonflies, crickets, cicadas, and beetles. Also consumes small snakes, lizards, frogs, and small birds, which are often taken from the treetops. All prey are captured with feet while in flight by gleaning from surface of vegetation, reaching within or underneath foliage, or snatching flying insects with barely perceptible strikes of the feet. Adults eat food while flying.

Vocalization

Swallow-tailed Kite: Utters shrill "ee-ee-ee" or "pee-pee-pee." When several fly together they make sweet shrill cries of "peat, peat, peat", "klee, klee, klee" or soft whistles.

Similar Species

Swallow-tailed Kite: Mississippi Kite is similar but has a slightly notched black tail and gray underparts and head.

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Family
Species Elanoides forficatus
Length19 - 25 Inches
Wingspan47.5 Inches

Swallow-tailed Kite

Swallow-tailed Kite: The largest of North America kites, has black upperparts which contrast with white head and underparts. In flight it shows long pointed wings with black flight feathers and white wing linings. Has a 15-16 inch-long black tail with deep fork. The neck, breast and belly are white.

● Song: "ee-ee-ee", "pee-pee-pee", "klee-klee-klee", "peat, peat, peat"

● Foraging & Feeding: Swallow-tailed Kite: This bird feeds on insects such as bees, dragonflies, crickets, cicadas, and beetles. Also consumes small snakes, lizards, frogs, and small birds, which are often taken from the treetops. All prey are captured with feet while in flight by gleaning from surface of vegetation, reaching within or underneath foliage, or snatching flying insects with barely perceptible strikes of the feet. Adults eat food while flying.

● Breeding & nesting: Swallow-tailed Kite: Two to three white eggs with brown and lavender markings, often concentrated at the large end, are laid in a nest of sticks, twigs, moss, and pine needles. Nest is built by both sexes and placed in the treetop, 60-130 feet above ground, concealed by thick foliage. Nest is lined with leaves and lichen. Incubation ranges from 24 to 28 days and is carried out by both sexes. These birds have one brood per year.

● Similar species: Swallow-tailed Kite: Mississippi Kite is similar but has a slightly notched black tail and gray underparts and head.

Flight Pattern

Soars on thermals and updrafts., Buoyant flight with deep slow wing beats and glides.
Swallow-tailed Kite Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Swallow-tailed Kite: Breeds mainly on or near coasts from Texas east to Florida, and north to South Carolina; local farther inland in Gulf states. Winters in American tropics. Also breeds in tropics. Inhabits swamps, marshes, river bottoms, and glades in open forests.
BreedingMonogamous
Population
MigrationMigratory
Weight15.6 Ounces